Market Drayton came together on Saturday 7th March 2026 to celebrate the achievements, creativity and contributions of local women at a special International Women’s Day event held at the Festival Drayton Centre.
The auditorium and Festival Room were filled with stalls and inspiring conversations as local women showcased their talents, businesses and community work. Visitors had the opportunity to meet some of the inspiring women behind local brands and creative projects while learning more about the work women are doing across the town and wider Shropshire.
Among the stalls was local brand MadMucker, alongside Women’s Institute, who tempted visitors with homemade sweets and cakes. A wide range of women entrepreneurs and community leaders also took part, including Cynthia McFarlane of Lawpreneur, Lisa Savill of Flourish Education, Genevieve Davidson of Gently Revive, Jayne Evans of Simplified By Us, Lesley Stabler of Little Owl Glass, and Denise McGowan of Arbonne.
Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about the work of the Shawbury Military Wives Choir, represented by Allison Feast, highlighting the power of music in bringing communities together and supporting military families.
In a separate room, Creative Drayton ran workshops throughout the day, giving visitors the chance to take part in creative activities, learn new skills and connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
The event also highlighted the work of inspiring women connected through Shropshire Women, a network celebrating women across the county who are making a difference in business, community work and the arts.
Celebrating Women in Shropshire’s History
A special display from the Market Drayton Museum invited visitors to explore the stories of remarkable women connected with Shropshire’s history and the wider movement for women’s rights.
One of the key figures featured was Pat Holland, a Market Drayton suffragette and close friend of Gladice Keevil, head of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) Midlands branch. Keevil and other leading suffragettes campaigned in the Newport by-election in May 1908, with Pat Holland acting as their chauffeur and even using the back of her car as a speaking platform during rallies in Whitchurch and Market Drayton.
Photographs of Pat, suffragette campaigners and her car at local rallies helped visitors imagine the energy and determination behind the campaign for women’s voting rights.
The display also highlighted two other Shropshire suffragettes:
• Violet Ann Bland of Bayston Hill, who documented her experience of being force-fed while on hunger strike.
• Barbara Wylie of Shrewsbury, who coined the famous suffragette motto “Deeds not Words.”
Alongside the suffragettes, the museum also celebrated a number of other female history-makers connected to Shropshire, including:
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Katherine Plymley – naturalist, writer and abolitionist
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Mary Webb – the acclaimed novelist whose works captured the beauty and character of Shropshire’s landscape
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Eglantyne Jebb – founder of Save the Children
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Agnes Hunt – pioneering orthopaedic nurse
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Betty Webb – wartime codebreaker
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Stephanie Shirley – refugee child who became an IT pioneer
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Mary Beard – historian and broadcaster
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Dr Alice Bunn – engineer and scientist
The display also celebrated Carole Decker of T’Pau, who began her musical career in Market Drayton, recording at Redball Record Studios and performing at the Parish Rooms.
Visitors interested in learning more about Pat Holland and the suffragette movement will have the chance to attend a talk at Market Drayton Library on 13 May. The museum team is also planning a Suffragette Tea and Film event on 22 May, with tickets available through the Festival Drayton Centre box office.
Mayor Supports the Celebration
Throughout the day, Mayor of Market Drayton, Cllr Tim Manton, attended with his wife Clare, the Mayoress, taking time to speak with stallholders and hear their stories.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor said:
“It has been inspiring to meet so many talented and hardworking women here today. From running businesses and creative projects to supporting their communities and families, the women of Market Drayton make an incredible contribution to our town. International Women’s Day is a chance to recognise that work, applaud and celebrate it together. I’d like to thank Helen McCabe Owen who works tirelessly to bring these celebratory events to Market Drayton, we are all one big family here and these type of events reinforce that fact.”
Although the event was a little quieter than expected at times, organisers say the day was an important first step in creating something that can grow in the future.
Events like this are about more than just one day of celebration – they are about building connections, raising awareness and recognising the everyday contributions women make to local life.
International Women’s Day is marked around the world every year on 8 March, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while also highlighting the work still needed to achieve equality. First celebrated in the early 1900s, it has grown into a global movement recognising women’s contributions and encouraging positive change.
Saturday’s event in Market Drayton reflected that spirit perfectly, bringing together creativity, enterprise, history and community in one place.
Meanwhile, Market Drayton Museum is preparing to reopen for Easter 2026 with a fresh new look and new displays. The team is also organising a range of events as part of History Week, running from 16–26 May, beginning with a special day at The Stag remembering the Redball Record Studios and the musicians who began their careers there.
Together, these events continue to highlight the rich history and strong community spirit that make Market Drayton such a special place.
